19/07/2022
WISDOM FOR ANSWERING OTHERS
There used to be this story of a foreign journalist who heard that Nigerians answer question with question. So he decided to visit, and at his first contact with a Nigerian, he asked, “Excuse me, it is true that Nigerians answer question with question?” The answer he received from that Nigerian was, “Who told you?” That settles it, I can hear you say! Answering question with question may be a style of communication. There may be times it may achieve some good purposes but we all know that many times, it does not. Many times it is a reactionary way of responding to issues or a way of picking up quarrels. When someone ask you a question and you reply with such statements like, “are you with your senses?” “you can ask again,” “do you know what you are saying?” “who are you asking such question?” “who are you speaking to that way?” “don’t ask me such a foolish question,” – we know that quarrels are not far from such environment.
Proverbs 15:1-2 says “A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.” Verse 23 says, “A man has joy by the answer of his mouth, and a word spoken in due season, how good it is!” People talk. Actually, not too many people know how to talk well. But much of the quarrels we engage in life will be averted if as believers we know how to respond. People may talk out of anger, out of personal or societal frustration, out of misinformation or out of their own personality disorder. It is our duty to trust God for the grace at all times to relax, explain, and convince if we can. Some have formed their opinion about certain matters before they even bring it to us. If we are able to win them over, thank God. If we are not, we can only speak the truth. We cannot kill ourselves because we want to prove the truth. The truth can always fight for itself. So, I encourage you as from today, do not let people set you on edge. Do not always respond with “fire for fire.” However harsh, insulting or annoying someone’s word is to you, remember this wisdom, “A soft answer turns away wrath.” I guess you want to live long and enjoy your life. That is one of the wisdom you need to live a long and peaceful life.
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